The passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill legalized hemp with a THC content of up to 0.3% by dried weight. A knock-on effect of this was that several new hemp-derived products hit the market in the subsequent years.
One of the most popular of these is HHC-based products, which come in various options for consumers, such as HHC gummies, HHC vapes, and HHC cartridges.
You might be interested in trying out HHC products but are concerned about whether HHC is legal. This article will answer this question and others regarding the legality of HHC-based products like HHC cartridges.
If you are new to HHC, here's a quick overview of this exciting new hemp-derived compound.
What is HHC?
Hexahydrocannabinol, or HHC for short, was first synthesized in the lab by Roger Adams in 1944. Adams synthesized HHC by hydrogenating THC, i.e., by adding hydrogen to THC molecules.
While HHC exists naturally in cannabis and hemp, it is present at such low levels that extracting it for commercial reasons is not a viable business enterprise. Instead, HHC manufacturers derive HHC from hemp-derived CBD for use in their range of products.
What are HHC's Effects?
HHC is becoming hugely popular due to its uplifting and relaxing effects. The compound is considered to be less potent than delta-8 THC, which is approximately half as potent as delta-9 THC. Therefore, most should find HHC's effects less overwhelming than those more potent alternatives.
Anecdotally, some say that HHC can help to take the edge off pain, but there is no research to back up any of these claims.
What is an HHC Vape Cartridge?
We mentioned some of the HHC products that are available on the market, such as HHC carts, like this one by PureKana. A HHC cartridge is designed to be used in a vaping device, and vaping HHC offers users an alternative consumption method to eating edibles like HHC gummies.
HHC cartridges come in a variety of flavors, some of which are based on the terpene profiles of well-known cannabis strains. For example, PureKana offers HHC cartridges in three different flavors. One of these flavors is a homage to the classic cannabis hybrid, Blue Dream, while the other two are based on the Berry Gelato and Watermelon Zkittles strains.
If you are interested in trying HHC cartridges, always stick with the leading brands in the industry. Furthermore, never buy HHC cartridges from sellers that do not provide evidence of independent lab testing.
Remember, the hemp-derived product market is unregulated, and not all HHC cartridges are made to the highest industry standards. Some may contain no HHC whatsoever or less than the amount advertised, or they may even be unsafe for consumption.
Is HHC Legal?
Now that you're familiar with HHC and products like HHC cartridges, the big question that people have is, is HHC legal?
The pertinent piece of legislation to determine the legality of HHC is the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill. As mentioned, the Farm Bill legalized hemp cultivation as long as the harvested plants contained no more than 0.3% THC by dried weight.
However, several states have taken measures to ban hemp-derived products, particularly delta-8 THC. These states' actions have caused confusion about the legality of these new hemp-sourced products.
In a hugely significant ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court in May 2022 declared that hemp and its "derivatives" and "extracts" were federally legal (within the 0.3% THC limit).
Nonetheless, some states have banned delta-8 THC-based products, and a small number have prohibited the sale of HHC-based products, including HHC cartridges.
Therefore, if you are interested in buying HHC cartridges or any other HHC-based product, for that matter, always check the current status of the compound in the state in which you reside before doing so.
HHC Vape Cartridges: Are They Legal? - Final Thoughts
Based on the May 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, hemp and its derivatives and extracts are federally legal. However, specific states have banned some hemp-derived products, such as delta-8 and HHC.
Therefore, checking the legality of HHC in the state where you reside before making a purchase is essential. And remember, always buy from trusted brands with a reputation for supplying premium-quality products and who provide evidence of third-party testing.
